PM2.5 pollution in India has seen a significant decline of around 19% between 2017 and 2022, according to a recent analysis. The study, conducted by Climate Trends using satellite data from IIT Delhi, revealed that Uttar Pradesh has shown the most substantial improvement with a 38% reduction in PM2.5 pollution in both urban and rural areas. In contrast, Maharashtra experienced the least decrease in pollution levels across the country.
PM2.5 refers to fine inhalable particles with diameters of 2.5 micrometers or smaller, which pose a significant risk to human health. The acceptable annual standard for PM2.5 is 40 micrograms per cubic meter.
In rural India, the levels of PM2.5 in 2022 stood at 46.8 micrograms per cubic meter, marking a 19.1% decrease compared to 2017. Similarly, urban India’s PM2.5 levels in 2022 were recorded at 46.4 micrograms per cubic meter, reflecting an 18.7% decline from 2017.
The study indicates that most states in India have followed a similar trajectory in terms of annual average PM2.5 levels, with rural areas experiencing greater reductions. For instance, Karnataka witnessed a decrease of 18.1% in rural PM2.5 levels and 16.2% in urban areas during the same period. West Bengal also saw a decline of 15.6% in rural PM2.5 levels and 14.9% in urban areas.
The analysis further highlights that PM2.5 concentration is equally high in both rural and urban regions, emphasizing the need for the next phase of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to encompass rural areas as well. NCAP is a national-level strategy aimed at reducing PM2.5 and PM10 concentration by 20 to 30% by 2024, with 2017 as the base year for comparison. The program covers 131 cities that did not meet the prescribed air quality standards for five consecutive years.
According to Aarti Khosla, Director of Climate Trends, the analysis underscores the fact that air pollution remains a pressing concern in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, and Bihar. Meanwhile, Western states such as Maharashtra and Gujarat have shown minimal progress and an increase in air pollution levels in recent years.
The analysis also reveals a wide range of PM2.5 reductions across the country, varying from approximately 5% to 38%. Uttar Pradesh witnessed a reduction of 37.8% and 38.1% in urban and rural PM2.5 levels, respectively, from 2017 to 2022. On the other hand, Maharashtra recorded a negligible decrease of 7.7% and 9.5% in urban and rural pollution levels.
Experts stress the importance of evaluating reductions of over 10% in PM2.5 levels over the given timeframe as positive. However, reductions below 10% in the past six years need to be further scrutinized.
The analysis serves as a reminder that air pollution affects not only cities but also rural areas and calls for tailored prevention and mitigation measures based on local conditions. It also emphasizes the significance of documenting health effects and exposure to develop adequate strategies.
The findings of this study are crucial in shaping future policies and initiatives to combat air pollution in India. As the country’s leadership aims to reduce particulate matter concentration, it becomes essential to address the issue comprehensively by targeting rural areas and implementing effective measures to ensure the health and well-being of all citizens.
